California: Campaign Hopes to Keep People Talking About AIDS

A team of San Francisco AIDS service providers has launched the "30AIDS" initiative to retain the media's focus on HIV/AIDS after the novelty of the disease's 30th anniversary wanes.

More than a dozen organizations are partnering in the effort, including the AIDS Emergency Fund, Project Inform, and Project Open Hand (POH). Their message in the battle against "AIDS fatigue" is "AIDS is still here. Do something!"

"Our goals are to raise awareness and money while paying tribute to those who have passed away and the individuals who have helped along the way," said coalition representatives in a May 26 statement. "Ultimately, we want to provide better services to reduce infection rates, to help our community to be adequately resourced, improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS, and help find a cure."

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Next steps for the coalition include spearheading a social marketing campaign promoting the creation of 30-second videos in which supporters describe their personal efforts to combat AIDS. Campaign Co-Chair Henry Lucero of Project Inform suggested activities with potentially sizeable returns, such as "giving out 30 condoms one day or donating $30 or $300, calling 30 friends and reminding them to get tested."

According to POH Executive Director Tom Nolan, the campaign demonstrates the cooperative spirit of the sponsoring organizations, and their acknowledgement that although HIV/AIDS has "changed radically" it continues to be "a huge issue in San Francisco and beyond."

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